- University News Archive - 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock /news-archive/tag/women-to-watch/ 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Mon, 14 Mar 2022 19:12:46 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 Women to Watch at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock 2022: Erin Fehr /news-archive/2022/03/14/women-to-watch-erin-fehr/ Mon, 14 Mar 2022 19:12:46 +0000 /news/?p=81141 ... Women to Watch at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock 2022: Erin Fehr]]> The next Woman to Watch at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock of 2022 is Erin Fehr, assistant director and archivist for the Sequoyah National Research Center. Tell us about yourself and your background? I was born and raised in Arkansas as the oldest of four girls. My father was born in Anchorage, Alaska, to a father from Watson, Arkansas, working on the Alaska Railroad, and a full-blooded Yup鈥檌k mother from Hooper Bay, Alaska. Growing up, I always knew about my Yup鈥檌k heritage, but it wasn鈥檛 until I got to college and graduate school that I became more interested. I attended Central Baptist College in Conway for my undergrad, where I majored in piano performance. Then I graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Master of Library and Information Studies and a Master of Music in Musicology. I had plans to work in a music library or archive upon graduation, but the job market was tight in 2010. What is your current position and professional duties at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock? As the assistant director and archivist at the Sequoyah National Research Center (SNRC), I have had a wide range of duties over the past decade. When I came on board in September 2011, I was the first professional archivist to work at SNRC, and my task was immense. I created policies and procedures to guide the archives and jumped in head first to begin the job of processing the collections. Processing happens when collections are organized into a meaningful order that scholars can then use for their research. Records are placed into acid-free folders; staples and paper clips are removed; and finding aids are created online. I work with researchers all over the world that come to us via phone, email, and in person. A number of books have been published using the resources found right here at SNRC. Our director encouraged me from day one to become involved in archival organizations and conferences, so I regularly present at local, regional, and international conferences about SNRC鈥檚 projects and personal research projects, on average about four per year. Part of my job responsibilities are to maintain accession records for archival materials that are donated to SNRC. I also regularly communicate with donors about their donations and arrange for their acquisition, whether that means receiving them through the mail or traveling to pick them up in person. I also have the pleasure of supervising our graduate assistants and interns. Over the past decade, we have had some outstanding GAs and interns. The best part is seeing how they succeed after they leave SNRC. Since 2017, we have been involved with commemorating the military service of American Indians and Alaska Natives in World War I through an exhibit and a searchable database called Modern Warriors of World War I. We created the 鈥溾 webpage for the United States World War I Centennial Commission that has since been archived by the Library of Congress. Currently, we are a research partner with the George S. Robb Centre for the Study of the Great War at Park University as they conduct research for the Valor Medals Review, which seeks to determine if minority World War I service members should receive a posthumous Medal of Honor. How did you arrive at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock? I came to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock as an American Indian/Alaska Native Summer Intern for the Sequoyah National Research Center in 2010. I had just graduated and wanted to gain more experience while I continued my search for a full-time job in my field. The two months I was here made me fall in love with the center. I found a position at the Arkansas History Commission, now the Arkansas State Archives, in microphotography. When I found out that SNRC was looking for an archivist, I jumped at the chance to work at SNRC again. I applied and started Sept. 1, 2011. The Sequoyah National Research Center is undergoing some exciting changes. Can you tell us what’s next for the center? The past two years have been eventful in more ways than one. We are currently in the process of moving from University Plaza to a new location in the Fine Arts Building. The task of moving an archive has been a monumental task involving over 10,000 boxes, not to mention the shelving on which the boxes reside. We are looking forward to completing the task of moving, so that we can settle into our new space and regain the momentum we鈥檝e lost over the last two years. Be on the lookout for a grand reopening, probably this coming fall semester. During the pandemic, we completed a touchscreen table project 鈥淛ourney of Survival: Indian Removal through Arkansas,鈥 and we have had very few people see it. We are very excited for the campus to see the story of Indian Removal come to life in this interactive format. What woman has inspired you the most and why? While this seems like a clich茅 answer, it鈥檚 the truth; my mom has been my biggest inspiration. She has always been my biggest supporter and believed that I could do anything that I put my mind to. She taught by example and has the best work ethic of anyone I know. She raised four girls while my dad was a long-haul truck driver, homeschooled us all, and gave us a head on our shoulders to think for ourselves and not to worry about what the rest of the world said or did. She taught me to be my own person鈥攖hat I didn鈥檛 need to look to anyone outside of God for approval. How have you adapted to working in a world with COVID-19? When we first went home to work during the COVID-19 pandemic, I began the task of cataloging our collection of over 1,200 digitized videos from the Jeanie Greene Heartbeat Alaska Film Collection. While the collection was digitized in 2016, we had not been able to catalog them in our online catalog due to time constraints. I was able to complete that project this January, and all the videos are now available on our YouTube channel as well. Since we came back to work in the office, it has been a vastly different place. We have had to suspend our American Indian/Alaska Native Summer Internship program due to the pandemic and the move. We are hoping that Summer 2023 will bring back our summer interns. We have only had a couple of in-person researchers in the past two years, so we look forward to their return. We鈥檝e had an increase in questions via email and over the phone though. I also had several conference presentations canceled or postponed like so many others. I鈥檝e learned to make virtual presentations, but they aren鈥檛 the same. I鈥檓 looking forward to the return of in-person conferences and symposia very soon. Name something about yourself that most people would be surprised to learn.听 Two of my sisters, my mom, and I have a booth at the Cotton Shed Vintage Market in Bryant. I鈥檝e always loved flea markets and estate sales, and we always talked about the possibility of opening a booth. During the pandemic, we just decided to go for it. The thrill of the find is what keeps us going. I鈥檓 working on my depression glass collection while we鈥檙e at it. Is there anything else you鈥檇 like to add? Dr. Littlefield is the best boss I鈥檝e ever had!]]> Women to Watch at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock: Kristi Smith /news-archive/2021/03/30/women-to-watch-kristi-smith/ Tue, 30 Mar 2021 13:21:12 +0000 /news/?p=78596 ... Women to Watch at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock: Kristi Smith]]> In celebration of Women鈥檚 History Month, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock is profiling women in leadership positions who are making a difference at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock and in the community. The next Woman to Watch at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock of 2021 is Kristi Smith, senior director of alumni and development.听 Tell us about yourself? I鈥檓 the youngest of four. I grew up in Marche, Arkansas. I went to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock as a Donaghey Scholar and graduated with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in international studies and a Master of Public Administration. I am married to Greg, and we have two miniature schnauzers, Dottie and DiDi.听 This is actually my second time to work at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. In my first position, I served as Assistant Dean of the Graduate School. I traveled to other schools in the state to recruit for our graduate programs. I also oversaw the TEAMS (Teaching Enhancements Affecting Minority Students) program, which provided extracurricular activities to both undergraduates and graduates. I am still in touch with several of the students who participated in the program to this day. What was your experience like as an undergraduate student at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock? I had a great experience. I was a part of the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program, and I often tell the story of the international study abroad component. I went to Strasbourg, France, the summer between my freshman and sophomore year. That was my first time on a plane. I studied French and French history. It was a six-week trip, and I learned a lot about myself and my place in the world. I have 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock to thank for that.听 I also pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha in 1993 when I was a junior. I made the most of my experience. I was a traditional college student, and 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock was my first choice for several reasons. I had several opportunities to come on campus when I was a junior and senior in high school. I was part of the Academy Orchestra, and we practiced in the Fine Arts Building. I was already familiar with the campus since my sister was a student here.听 With being a Donaghey Scholar, I knew that I would have help with my tuition. If not, I would have had to incur student loans. I have friends that I made in the Donaghey Scholars Program, in the sorority, and elsewhere across campus that I still have today. What does your job entail as senior director of alumni and development at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock? I am responsible for 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock alumni, annual giving, and planned giving. I have the opportunity to reach people at all ages, whether alumni or friends, and I get to connect with them at whatever stage they are in life. I am also the director of the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Alumni Association. I get to interact with alumni, and one of my goals is to come up with programming that will interest all our alumni. We have alumni who are 22 and just graduated, and we have alumni who are 92 and older. There is always a challenge to figure out how to connect with our alumni at all ages. What other charitable and professional organizations are you involved in?
Greg and Kristi Smith. Photo by Ben Krain.

Greg and Kristi Smith. Photo by Ben Krain.

I鈥檓 a part of CASE (Council for Support and Advancement of Education). I鈥檓 also a member of Beta Pi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, a social organization that does a variety of community service activities including the American Heart Association and Alzheimer鈥檚 Association. I鈥檓 also a board member of the Little Rock Diamond Foundation, the charitable arm of the Little Rock Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.听 What鈥檚 next in your professional career? Professionally, I want to accurately and passionately share the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock story with others. I think it鈥檚 a hidden gem, and we have so many amazing students, faculty, staff, and alumni. In our city, there are so many opportunities for people to learn. I want to tell our story in an effort to raise money and raise awareness of the needs of our students. What woman has inspired you the most and why? I would say my mother, even though she is no longer with us. It was years ago that she worked at the Baldwin Piano factory and later as a housekeeper for several families. When I was in 9th grade, she decided to go back to school. She did very well on the ACT and came to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock for classes. To me, it was amazing that she undertook that journey. I know it was very intimidating for her, but she excelled. I believe that she wanted to prove to herself that she could go to college while being a mother and continuing to work.听 In her later years as she became ill, she was still graceful in her sickness and was a wonderful example for others to follow.听 What advice would you give to the next generation of women in higher education?
Kristi Smith presents a t-shirt to Chancellor Christina Drale during the 2019 BBQ at Baileys event. Photo by Ben Krain.

Kristi Smith, left, presents a T-shirt to Chancellor Christina Drale, right, during the 2019 BBQ at Baileys. Photo by Ben Krain.

My advice is to find a mentor who understands what it means to uplift. At the same time, you should reciprocate. Always share with people what your goals are. Otherwise, they won鈥檛 know what you are working toward. Unless people know what you鈥檙e striving for, they can鈥檛 help you. Don鈥檛 be afraid to ask for help; if there is someone in a position where you think you want to be, reach out to them and ask to shadow them. Also, never underestimate the value of a handwritten thank you note. How have you adapted to life during COVID-19? I am back in the office, but I enjoyed working from home during the first months of the pandemic. I have grown to appreciate nature a lot more. I spent my time going for walks in my neighborhood, and I am happy for spring because I am looking forward to that 鈥渕e鈥 time when it鈥檚 just me and an audiobook. I personally know a few people who died from the coronavirus, andI have more of an appreciation for being thankful for what I have and continue to have during this time.听 What is a little-known fact about yourself that people who know you would be surprised to learn? I can deadlift 285 pounds.]]> Women to Watch at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock: Christina Drale /news-archive/2020/03/31/women-to-watch-christina-drale/ Tue, 31 Mar 2020 15:32:28 +0000 /news/?p=76511 ... Women to Watch at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock: Christina Drale]]> In this special series for Women鈥檚 History Month, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock is profiling women leaders who are making a difference at the university. Dr. Christina Drale serves as the first female chancellor of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.听 Q.听Tell me about yourself? I鈥檝e been in Arkansas for 14 years. I鈥檝e had a number of positions since coming here. I started out as an associate dean in the former College of Professional Studies. Then, I became an associate vice chancellor for academic affairs. I was hired by David Belcher just before he left. The first person I worked for in the provost鈥檚 office was Sandra Robertson. More recently, I became the interim provost and, after 10 months in that gig, I became the chancellor. It鈥檚 been a wild ride.听 Q. How did you arrive at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock? Before I came to Arkansas, I was an associate dean at Missouri State in Springfield. Angie Brenton called me up and said, 鈥淲ould you like to come work for me in Little Rock?鈥 I was ready for a change, and I said, 鈥淵es, I would like that.鈥 I applied for the job and got it. Angie actually worked at Missouri State for one year as a department chair. I had known David Belcher for years because I worked for him at Missouri State when he was dean there. We have a little Missouri State pipeline going here. Q. What does 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock mean to you? I view 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock as a vital institution for central Arkansas. It is a metropolitan, comprehensive research university. It plays a very important role in serving the needs of regional students and also serves the needs of industry, government, cultural organizations, and nonprofit organizations. We feed into that activity in a very prominent way. We prepare and contribute to the workforce, but we also contribute to the overall well-being and vibrancy of central Arkansas. Q. What are your duties as chancellor of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock? There are several important things a chancellor has to do. The chancellor is where the buck stops. The chancellor has to be responsible for the integrity of the institution. That includes the financial integrity, the academic integrity, and the overall institutional integrity in terms of truth in advertising, being a good citizen, and serving the needs of the community. A very central part of what a chancellor does is have oversight of the integrity issues. A chancellor spends a fair amount of time working on budget issues. The chancellor establishes the parameters of how you do that. One chancellor might do across-the-board cuts, while another chancellor might take a different approach. A chancellor has to set the rules for the major tasks of the university. A big part of what a chancellor does is external relations. There is a surprising amount of that, at least it鈥檚 surprising to me. It鈥檚 way different than what a provost does, especially when you are new. Everyone wants to meet you and talk to you and find out what you are about. They also want to test you to see if you are up to the challenge. I鈥檝e had a lot of very positive support from external constituents. They all want us to be successful. A lot of it is getting out and telling our story. I work with people in communications and advancement and academic affairs to get that story told to a variety of constituents, whether it鈥檚 the Chamber of Commerce, the Arkansas State Legislature, or other groups. It鈥檚 very important for a chancellor to have a lot of face time in the community and to share the institution鈥檚 priorities, what it means to the city, and what we are doing and why. The other part of the chancellor鈥檚 job is to communicate well internally. Communication is an important priority for any chancellor. The external communication is very important, but internal communication is equally important. If you don鈥檛 maintain that communication line with your students and employees, then people won鈥檛 be able to support you. Our faculty and staff and students are out in the community as much as anybody, and they are ambassadors as well. If you don鈥檛 communicate well with your ambassadors, you are losing out on that resource. Whatever our internal disagreements about method or strategy, we ultimately agree on the goals. We are essentially all rowing in the same direction. A chancellor鈥檚 job is to make sure that is happening. Q. How would you describe your leadership style? I would describe my leadership style as one of quiet strength. I am not naturally an extrovert. I am learning to embrace the role of a public figure, but, frankly, it does not come naturally to me. I have to work at that. I also have a pretty strong sense of direction, of what needs to be done, and I think I can communicate that effectively. My style is to really work methodically through my plans, to take a strategic planning approach. It鈥檚 not always fast or flashy, but it is effective. That鈥檚 how I work. As someone coming from behind the scenes to in front of the scene, I still have the same approach to the work I do. I carefully plan, set priorities, and work toward the goals. I also think that, as a leader, I understand the value of communication. There鈥檚 never enough. Some will always want more than you can provide at any given time. I have seen what happens when communication is missing from the equation. I try to do a good job of it. Q. As a female leader, what has been the most significant barrier in your career? From an early point in time, females aspiring for leadership positions are usually underestimated and undervalued. Early in life, I learned to use that to my advantage. It does mean that you have to work harder than many of your male colleagues. It means that you have to aspire to the highest standards. You have to be good at what you are doing. You have to make sure you can go into any situation and hold your own. If you have developed that level of talent, you will still be underestimated and undervalued. There are ways to use that to your advantage and catch people off guard. The thing that is really important about that is to realize that even though it鈥檚 wrong and sexist, it鈥檚 not personal. If you can keep your emotions out of it and concentrate on the strategy, you are probably going to be okay.听 When I look at Ruth Bader Ginsberg, as brilliant as she was, she was still undervalued and underestimated until she proved that she was brilliant and able to hold her own in a court of law. She had to stay on course. She had to keep going back to the same people under the same circumstances and keep demonstrating her capabilities. I鈥檓 sure she was discouraged on a personal level, but she didn鈥檛 let that stop her or slow her down even.听 Q. What woman has inspired you the most and why?听 On a purely personal level, I would have to say it鈥檚 my mother. My mother did not have a professional career. She didn鈥檛 finish college. She was truly an inspiration for me. She is the rock of our family. In spite of the obstacles in her way and the culture in her generation, she was always her own person. She always knew exactly what she thought and wasn鈥檛 intimidated by anyone. She has this incredible strength. She鈥檚 90 years old and still going strong. When it seemed like everyone else in the family was gnashing teeth and running around in circles, she is always the one who could see through the commotion to exactly what needed to be done, and she did it.听 One of the things I loved about our relationship is my mother always spoke to me like an adult and treated me like a person who had the capability of making important choices in life. That was a very good upbringing. She always made it clear that I could decide my own future. I think that鈥檚 where my confidence came from. I saw her confidence and I emulated that. She鈥檚 very proud that I鈥檓 chancellor, and she has no doubt in the world that I can do this, and she鈥檚 completely supportive. My father was also an influence. I grew up in the 60s and 70s. It was still very much the case that women weren鈥檛 expected to have professional careers. No one ever asked me what I wanted to do with my life, but my father always assumed I would go to college, have a successful career, and be a self-made person like he was. That was liberating. Q. What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders? First, to get as many different kinds of experience as you can. That means stepping up and volunteering for different kinds of assignments. It鈥檚 those experiences that will open up possibilities. You never know when you will make a connection that will help you later on in life. It鈥檚 not just about networking. It鈥檚 about having shared connections with people. You should have as much as a diversity of experience as you can fit into your schedule. Take advantage of mentors. Use them, find them, and ask their advice. Don鈥檛 limit yourself to one gender. Women leaders have unique perspectives, but, sometimes, male mentors can be insightful about different subjects. Find a variety of mentors depending on the topics you need help with and don鈥檛 be shy. The third piece of advice I would give is to find your center. It鈥檚 okay if you don鈥檛 know where you will end up or exactly what you want to do. Find your center in terms of your moral center, your essence. That will help you stay grounded. It will help you make appropriate decisions about what you are going to do and what you will do. It helps you set boundaries. It鈥檚 an important thing to learn, especially for women. We tend not to say no. If you compromise your family and your health for your job, no one will thank you for that. It will never be enough. People will take as much as you give them. Q. What鈥檚 one leadership lesson you鈥檝e learned in your career? One of the most important things I鈥檝e learned is that honesty is paramount in your dealings with people. Honesty is connected to personal integrity. If you lose that, it鈥檚 nearly impossible to get it back. Once people stop trusting you, then you can鈥檛 lead. No one will follow someone they don鈥檛 trust, at least not willingly. I think that鈥檚 really of paramount value. The second thing I鈥檝e learned over the years is that you鈥檝e got to maintain a combination of courage and emotional maturity. You need to have the courage to wade into whatever the problems are. You have to meet them head on, but you also have to have a level of emotional intelligence and maturity not to become a part of the problem. Even if people are very upset and emotional, don鈥檛 take that personally and understand that people have every right to have the reactions that they have. It isn鈥檛 about you. It鈥檚 about the situation. You have to have a good emotional balance to go into those situations and be effective. Q. Is there anything else you鈥檇 like to add? Go Trojans!]]> Women to Watch at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock: Ann Bain /news-archive/2020/03/18/women-to-watch-ann-bain/ Wed, 18 Mar 2020 13:27:30 +0000 /news/?p=76415 ... Women to Watch at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock: Ann Bain]]> Q. Tell me about yourself. I attended the University of Central Arkansas as an undergraduate and completed a nursing program there called Career Options in Nursing Education (CONE). I went into clinical practice after I graduated and did a lot of work in pediatric and adult surgical nursing. Then, I took the opportunity to take a teaching position at Baptist Health College and then went back to UCA and got my master鈥檚 degree in nursing. I came to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock in 1983 and taught in the associate degree RN program, had my second child, and came back in 1987. I decided in 1996 that I needed to look at what my next career step was. I went into the EdD in Higher Education program here and completed that program in 1997. The same year I completed my doctoral degree, I was asked to serve as the chairperson of the Department of Nursing. At that time, we were a very small associate degree program that accepted 6o students every fall. We hadn鈥檛 done a lot of innovative changes, but I had a dynamic faculty who was willing to come to the table. We started the LPN-to-RN track and the paramedic-to-RN track and began to maximize the use of summer sessions. Eventually, one of our main partners at St. Vincent talked about the need for a RN-to-BSN program. The rest is history. We have more than 800 nursing majors. We evolved from a very small unit to a very large unit. I was asked in 2013 if I could serve as the interim dean of the College of Science since we were undergoing restructuring. When the position came available for the College of Health Education and Professions, I applied for the position and was selected for that position. I was asked to serve as provost in October 2019. Q. How did you arrive at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock? I was actually recruited by one of the nursing faculty to apply for a faculty position. I鈥檓 a native Little Rock person. Q. What does 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock mean to you? 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock is my home. I don鈥檛 think I ever expected to stay as long as I have. I鈥檝e had the opportunity to work with many great people. I鈥檝e been given the opportunity to expand our nursing program and to secure a dedicated, totally redesigned building for nursing. I know firsthand the difference 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock can make in people鈥檚 lives. This institution is invaluable, and I am thankful that it has been my professional home. Q. What is your current position at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock? What are your duties? The provost has oversight of the academic side of the house. This involves everything from tenure and promotion reviews, academic planning, strategic planning, and budget oversight.听 It鈥檚 really a very comprehensive oversight of all academic units. The associate vice chancellors, college deans, and other members of the deans鈥 council report directly to the provost.听 The provost is a direct report to the chancellor and is a member of the chancellor鈥檚 cabinet. It鈥檚 a very complex and busy job. Q. How would you describe your leadership style? I am a very upfront person. I like to be direct with people. I also value collaboration and the voice of others. I believe you can make better decisions if you are open to new ideas and new ways of thinking. It鈥檚 important that you have a team approach to leadership, and that you value the input you get from everyone. I would hope that people I have worked with over the years would tell you that I was supportive of their role and their vision of their future. I have had the opportunity to work with wonderful people, who have become lifelong friends and colleagues. Q. What woman has inspired you the most and why? I would say, my mother, which, to some, may be an ironic person to name because she did not have the opportunity to complete college and did not have a professional career. Because of the era in which she grew up, she was not allowed the opportunity to go to college, but she helped my brothers and I realize the value of a college education. She encouraged us all to succeed and to maximize the educational and professional opportunities that were given to us. She is the woman I admire the most in my life, and I believe that my brothers and I owe our successes to her. I have also had the opportunity to work with some phenomenal women leaders over the years. I am very fortunate right now to work with Dr. Christy Drale and other strong women leaders on this campus.听 They are inspirational and they make me thankful to be a part of a team that will make a difference in the future of this institution. Throughout my career, there have been a variety of women who I鈥檝e interfaced with and, cumulatively, they have made me a better person, a better colleague, and a better leader. Q. What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders? I would tell them that they need to always keep their creative side and their ability to think of new ways of doing things. They should never get complacent with the way things are. It鈥檚 important to be a change agent for good. You should always look to the future. Never lose the human factor that is involved in working with others. You should continue to value each and very person that you work with. You have to work hard, and you have to put a lot of hours in – but you can make a difference. Q. Name something about yourself that most people would be surprised to learn. I enjoy creating art, especially with watercolors or pastels. My friends and family know this about me, but others may not.听 I鈥檓 a constant designer of space, so I always have a project and I always have something I enjoy doing. I don鈥檛 sit still. My husband told me he鈥檚 afraid to leave me at home alone because I might start a house addition. I am, for the first time,听 going to plant a garden with my brother at Two Rivers Park. I expect the garden to be an adventure! I am also an awesome grandmother. I have that on the authority of my seven grandchildren who range in ages from 2 years to 14 years! Q. What鈥檚 one leadership lesson you鈥檝e learned in your career? I would say that the most important lesson is to take advantage of the opportunities that you are given and to be alert to those opportunities. Those opportunities enable you to really feel that you can accomplish something and to make a difference. I鈥檓 not talking about opportunities for personal advancement. I鈥檓 talking about opportunities to make positive changes that enable the growth of our institution and our community. Q. Is there anything else you鈥檇 like to add? I鈥檝e always been fortunate in my life to have wonderful female friends and women in my life. I have retained friends from elementary school, high school, and college and the years following. I still keep up with some of my colleagues who鈥檝e retired from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. It鈥檚 been a gift that these wonderful women have intersected with my life and remained a part of my life for all these years. I can鈥檛 wait to see what my granddaughters do in the future. From what I can tell, they will do great and glorious things!]]>